The key to a good football program isn’t so much the ability to build, it’s the ability to reload.
Anyone can make a good team every three or four years. The essential ingredient to prolonged success: finding ways to create quality players without having to wait.
So as Penn State exits spring practice this week, the development of the defensive end position is a small but important transition period. Going from long time ends Deion Barnes and CJ Olaniyan, and being able to find players to make an immediate impact has been a key focus for the past several weeks.
And heading into this weekend’s Blue White game, it’s a need that has turned into a strength.
“We went into this spring with question marks at d-end, and I don’t have those question marks,” coach James Franklin said this weekend after practice.
Replacing a total of 77 tackles and nine sacks from last season isn’t the primary concern as much as providing Penn State’s defense with not only a threat but solid anchors on the edges of the defensive line. With at least four players in the mix for the starting roles, finding those anchors shouldn’t be too hard.
The candidates? Two new faces and two players with experience under their belt already.
Franklin is high on the spring that both former walk-on Carl Nassib and redshirt sophomore Garrett Sickels have had. Both seem favored to start the season at the end position but two new names might just add some depth in that area as well.
“Nassib and Sickles I think are doing really well, playing at a high level, really talented, very dependable,” Franklin said. “I’d say Curtis Cothran and Torrence Brown are exciting, and that doesn’t slight the other guys, but those two guys, for young guys that haven’t played, they are flashing some really exciting things.”
“Those guys have played with great technique, great fundamentals, they’re playing with really good confidence right now, and I’m excited about our d-ends.”
It may not seem like much, two players on a team of over 100 athletes; but for Penn State to continue to take steps forward it’s all about the ability to sustain success at a high level.
From the sound of it, Penn State won’t be taking a step backwards at the defensive end position this year.
And anything that isn’t moving backwards is a good sign for Penn State.
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